Ex neighbor's new Boxer.......

[Nsane4Bxrs]

Reputable breeders often have white puppies...its the down side of flashy to flashy breedings. However they screen the homes for white pups as closely as they do for the colored. Being white does not mean being deaf, and they are generally born deaf. Any boxer colored or white can develop deafness due to age(sometimes its part of aging).

My heart goes out to this puppy and the other boxer. Buy smacking him on the nose they are teaching him to be more aggressive which is the oppisite of what they think they are doing. I really hope you are able to help these poor babies. Boxers need human compainonship to properly thrive.

[Ritz459]

I'm thinking about writing them a letter asking them if I could help out with their dogs because I love Boxers and want to go into dog trianing. (That isn't a lie. I do want to become a dog trainer.) What would be the best way to start out the letter? I know what I want to say, but I don't know how the best way to start off the letter is. (I've never been good at writing.)

[oc_spirit]

I'm not sure how old you are so this might not sound quite right for you but this is how I would start it:

Hey Mr. and Mrs. ________ ! How are you enjoying your new house? The neighbourhood seems so quiet and lonely without you guys and your beautiful boxer boy here! Perhaps we could get together sometime, perhaps for a BBQ. Don't forget to bring your Boxer so all the dogs can play and have fun too Speaking of which, I noticed the other day that you got a new Boxer puppy. He looks soooo cute! How's his training going? If you're interested I'd be willing to help out by taking him for walks and doing some training with him for you.....(I'm sure you can take it from here )

Cheers!

[Rip's Girl]

OC has a good idea for the start of a letter.

[Ritz459]

It is in the middle of Winter here so I don't think a BBQ would be the best thing at the moment. lol That was a really good idea though. I could play around with your 'letter' above, and I might be able to make it work. Thanks for the idea!!

[oc_spirit]

Just because you suggest a BBQ doesn't mean it must occur within the week It could be a suggestion for a summer time activity...

Cheers!

[GreenleafGreyhound]

NSane4Boxers,

I'm curious. Are Boxers just harder to linebreed? Because what would happen if you had extremely linebred puppies from parents with the proper amount of white on them? Would the (linebred) puppies have more or less likelihood of being more than 1/3 white?

[gaddylovesdogs]

Ritz, I have the same problem as you, only with three different breeds. On one street two Old English Sheepdogs and two Cairn Terriers, on another street two West Highland White Terriers. We have offered for me to walk the Sheepdogs, owners said no thanks. We offered various times to even just let them out and play with them. I am sending them articles on training and the breed they own. The Cairn Terriers...I have sent a letter to the family about the female, who is youngest. I am going to send them a training article because they don't seem to get the point of rewarding a dog when it obeys. The Westies...*SIGH* one of 'em got into the yard (this yard has no fence) because it's owners don't have a fenced yard or even a dog kennel. I am going to offer to walk their dogs daily, for free (hopefully so there is a better possibility of them accepting) and on these walks I would teach basic commands, sending the owners training information. I don't believe these Westies have been socialized or treated when they obey because they run away from other dogs (when the one got into the yard, before I could go outside and put the dog on a leash my girls scared it away) and from their owners (while I was walking with Colby and a relative one of the owners tried to get one dog (I believe it was Sweetie...or Lucy? BLAH I can't remember which is which! ) to come and then tried to catch it.

[gaddylovesdogs]

I like Darkness's suggestion. I live close enough to the Westies (around a small block) and the other 4 dogs are a short drive away...I probably wouldn't do anything if I were far away...it most likely wouldn't be possible.

[BXRchic]

Originally Posted by Rip's Girl

Well from what I know GreenLeaf, white boxers are not just the product of BYB, reputable breeders can have a white boxer born as well. (Correct me if I'm wrong)

Right, they're not the "mark" so to speak of bad breeding.
There's a very specific gene (the Piebald gene) that is responsible for being white, deaf, and blind). If you're mixing flashy boxers (from what I understand about breeding them) then you have good odds of getting some white pups; but that's not to say that flashies shouldnt be bred.

If a boxer is more than 1/3 flashy, its a flaw and a disqualification for show.

[BXRchic]

Originally Posted by Nsane4Bxrs

Buy smacking him on the nose they are teaching him to be more aggressive which is the oppisite of what they think they are doing.

Not only is that "not the right way" but for our (boxers/bulldogs/etc.) Brachycephalic breeds (smooshed nosed) its a serious potential harm to their snout!

[Smooshie]

I concur with Carrie....breeding flashy to flashy will produce white puppies. It ia also interesting to note, as pointed out in this essay by Newcastle Boxers : http://www.newcastleboxers.com/inheritance.shtml

a white x plain breeding will produce 100% flashy puppies, which are so desirable in the show ring.

Its a great essay for anyone who's interested in color/marking genetics.

[Ritz459]

Just a quick question. When I write them a letter, should it be direct and to the point, or should a gradually mention the dogs?

[gaddylovesdogs]

Originally Posted by Ritz459

Just a quick question. When I write them a letter, should it be direct and to the point, or should a gradually mention the dogs?

I would gradually mention the dogs. I have a draft of the letter I am planning on sending to the Westie owners, and it starts with "I have noticed that your two West Highland White Terriers escape from your yard every now and then." then goes on to mention that if they would like, I have experience in dog walking , and am offering to walk their dogs. In order to assure them that I'd be able to handle their dogs, I will be adding that my girls weigh 50-60 lbs. each. Let me remind you that I will be changing the letter almost completely...the beginning will most likely start with me introducing myself or something. So far it's not ready to be sent, but it's OK. If you have nothing else you can really say, I would mention the dogs in the beginning, increasing how much info you give them (I'm willing to exercise them, if you need a petsitter...etc.).

[Ritz459]

Originally Posted by gaddylovesdogs

If you have nothing else you can really say, I would mention the dogs in the beginning, increasing how much info you give them (I'm willing to exercise them, if you need a petsitter...etc.).

Ya, that is what I'm thinking about doing. Thanks for all of the help guys!